The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) announced the appointment of three distinguished new members to its Board of Directors: Councilor Rachel Chernos Lin, who serves as the city councillor for Don Valley West, Magali Simard, Cinespace Studiosâ Director of Industry & Community Relations, and Owen McCorquodale, Head of Communications for Prime Video in Canada. These esteemed individuals bring a wealth of experience to the Board to further drive the CFCâs mission and to enhance the cultural landscape of the Canadian film and media industries.
âWe are pleased to welcome Magali, Owen, and Councillor Chernos Lin to the CFC Board,â said maxine bailey, Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre. âTheir deep expertise, leadership and passion for fostering creativity and innovation will be instrumental as we continue to champion the next generation of Canadian storytellers.â
âEach board member plays a vital role in advancing the CFCâs vision and Iâm thrilled to be collaborating with these remarkable leaders as we work together to evolve the future of global storytelling,â said Neishaw Ali, President of SPIN VFX and CFC Board Chair.
They will join recently appointed board member Academy AwardÂź-winning director Guillermo del Toro.
Current Board of Directors are:
Neishaw Ali (Chair), Cheryl Hudson (Vice Chair), Harold Gronenthal (Treasurer), Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Ex Officio), Kate Alexander Daniels, Paul Bronfman, Tassie Cameron, Stéphane Cardin, Guillermo del Toro, Duane Green, Raja Khanna, Anne Loi, Owen McCorquodale, John Morayniss, Mark Sakamoto, Magali Simard, Hilary Smith, Clement Virgo, and David Zitzerman.
Councilor Rachel Chernos Lin Bio (right in photo above)
Rachel Chernos Lin (she/her) is the City Councillor for Ward 15 â Don Valley West. At City Hall, she is Chair of the City-School Boards Advisory Committee and sits on the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Toronto Hydro, and the Canadian Film Centre. Prior to her election as City Councillor, Rachel served as an elected Trustee for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for six years, including two years as Chair. At the TDSB, she led the charge to restrict cell phone usage in classrooms, introduced the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and secured over $1.8 million of multi-level government funding for youth violence prevention initiatives. Rachel holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto and a Masterâs degree in History from Brown University. She is a published historian and active speaker on education and governance.
Magali Simard Bio (center in photo above)
Magali Simard (she/her) is the Director of Industry and Community Relations at Cinespace Studios Toronto, Ontarioâs largest film and television production hub. She oversees industry relations, government affairs, brand deployment and has launched CineCares, Cinespaceâs workforce training program. She is a Board Member of FilmOntario, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the City of Torontoâs Film Advisory Board.
She is the former Film Sector Development Officer for the City of Toronto and was a lead curator at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for eleven years. She is a recurrent guest speaker and columnist in Canadian media and at industry events.
Owen McCorquodale Bio (left in photo above)
Owen McCorquodale (he/him) is the Head of Communications for Prime Video in Canada. In his role, he oversees the development and implementation of PR strategies and publicity campaigns for locally produced Amazon Originals, Global Original and Exclusive content, Live Sports, and Prime Video’s extensive film and TV portfolio in the Canadian market.
Prior to joining Amazon, Owen served as the Vice President of Television Publicity for Entertainment One. There, he managed studio communications and publicity for the television business, working on numerous series including ABC’s “The Rookie,” Netflix’s “Designated Survivor,” Fox’s “Deputy,” CTV’s “Cardinal,” and Global’s “Private Eyes.” He previously served as Communications Manager for PayTV and Women’s brands at Corus, leading public relations and publicity for such brands as HBO Canada, Movie Central, W Network, OWN: Canada, CosmoTV, and Sundance Channel. Additionally, Owen has served as an Instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, teaching in the Strategic Public Relations Certificate Program.
For more information, visit cfccreates.com.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and CBC are pleased to announce another remarkable group of performers who will make up the 2024 cohort of the CBC Actors Conservatory starting September 3, 2024 at CFCâs campus in Toronto and running until February 28, 2025.
Eight exciting actors with a range of experience in film, television, and theatre have been selected to participate in the 2024 Conservatory. This full-time, six-month immersive screen acting program will provide hands-on experience, expand the performerâs reel and their instrument, establish strong creative partnerships, grow their professional network, strengthen their abilities to navigate the business, and help build their confidence.
âThe CBC Actors Conservatory has helped strengthen and expand Canadaâs on-screen talent network and by extension the industry as a whole. Weâre proud to continue our partnership with the CFC to offer mentorship and training to this yearâs dynamic group of performers – we wish them all the best in the program,â said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC.
Thanks to the generous support of program partners CBC, the RBC Emerging Artists Project and the Government of Ontario, the CBC Actors Conservatory has supported and helped elevate the voices and talent of over 112 actors including Supinder Wraich (Allegiance, Sort Of), Lovell Adams-Gray (Coroner, Brother), Andy McQueen (Station Eleven), Michelle McLeod (Women Talking), Patrick Kwok-Choon (Star Trek: Discovery), Giacomo Gianniotti (Wild Cards, Grey’s Anatomy), Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek) and Eli Goree (One Night In Miami).
“We’ve met so many wonderful actors from across this country reinforcing what an inspiring and creatively resilient talent community we have,â said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs, CFC. âThis program and our longstanding partnership with the CBC is all about nurturing and celebrating the incredible contribution actors and actor/creators make to the storytelling process and to the stories that need to be told. I cannot wait to see how these actors shape the future of storytelling!â
Meet the 2024 Actors Conservatory residents:
Theresa Cutknife (She/Her) is an Alberta-born Toronto-based NĂȘhiyaw/Puerto Rican actor, writer, and producer. She is a member of the Samson Cree Nation in MaskwacĂźs, Alberta located on Treaty 6 Territory. Theresa is an alumni of The Centre for Indigenous Theatre and a graduate of the 2023 Soulpepper Academy. Her co-written play Talk Treaty To Me received two Sterling award nominations for Outstanding Fringe Ensemble and Outstanding Fringe New Work at the 2023 Edmonton Fringe Festival. Recent credits include assistant directing De Profundis: Oscar Wilde In Jail (Soulpepper). Acting credits include: Heartless (Favour The Brave Collective), Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts), My Sisterâs Rage (Tarragon Theatre/Studio 180 Theatre/TOLive), The House of Bernarda Alba (Aluna Theatre/Modern Times Theatre), Diggstown (CBC Gem).
Anna Morreale (They/Them) is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and now based in Montreal, Quebec. Since graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada in 2021, Anna has been working professionally in the theatre, film and voice acting industries. As an actor, writer and producer, they have been lucky enough to collaborate with companies like Playwrights Workshop Montreal, Centaur Theatre, Repercussion Theatre, Difuze Inc and more. They are also the artistic producer for Scaredy Cat theatre, an emerging theatre company helmed by Chelsea Dab and Cole Hayley. Anna is consistently inspired by art that is absurd, surreal, intrepid and accessible. Their own work spans themes of queerness, mortality, oral history, grief, dreams and corporeality. Their practice is informed by various movement based techniques such as dance, contact improv, mask, and clown.
Eva Foote (She/Her) is a Dora-Award nominated actor and musician based in Edmonton, Alberta. She attended the National Theatre School of Canada and Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. Eva was a recipient of the 2019 Montreal English Theatre Award for Lead Performance in a Musical & Emerging Artist and the 2019 Syd & Shirley Banks Prize for Emerging Musical Theatre Artists. Some of Evaâs credits include Kelly v. Kelly (Musical Stage Company/Canadian Stage), A Midsummer Nightâs Dream (Stratford Festival), Once (Segal Centre), Uncovered: The Music of Fleetwood Mac & The Eagles (Musical Stage Co.), Murdoch Mysteries (Season 15), and upcoming After the Rain (Tarragon Theatre).
Emidio Lopes (He/Him) is a Black Angolan-Canadian actor fluent in English and Portuguese. He currently trains at The Lighthouse Acting Studio under Angela Besharah, with whom he has studied since 2019. His recent credits include the NBC series The Irrational and the feature film Welcome, directed by Jevon Boreland and produced by Mark Taylor, which is set to premiere in the fall of 2024.
Taelor Lewis-Joseph (She/Her) is an actor based in Tkaronto. Born in Scarborough and first generation Canadian, she studied theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts and graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University studying Communication. She created a docu-web series, How.T.O Art, which won best web at the Canadian Diversity Film Festival and official selection for festivals internationally. Taelor is an alumni of New Yorkâs Upright Citizens Brigade, The Second City Conservatory Programme and acting schools in Tkaronto. Her credits include Digi Art (CBC Gem), How to Fail as a Popstar (CBC Gem) and Abroad (OMNI).
Aldrin Bundoc (He/Him) is a Dora Award-nominated actor, physical-theatre creator, and producer born in Manila, Philippines, and currently based in Toronto. Aldrin has made a significant mark in both theatre and screen acting. Aldrin’s notable screen credits include Schittâs Creek (CBC/Netflix), Glamorous (Netflix), The Boys (Amazon), Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (CityTV), and Star Trek: Discovery (CBS). Currently, Aldrin stars in the satirical sketch comedy series Abroad (OMNI), now in its third season. The show offers a humorous and insightful look at the experiences of Filipino immigrants in Canada.
Arianna Laya-Garcia (She/Her) is a Toronto-based actor whose on-screen credits include Worldâs Best (Disney), Macy Murdoch (CBC Gem), and Accused Season 2 (Fox). She attended the Etobicoke School of Arts, where she majored in Musical Theatre and Canadaâs Model and Talent Convention twice, where she won first in Best Cold Reading Scene (2017) and Best Self-Tape (2022). When not in front of the camera, Arianna has freelanced as a Production Assistant, and recently worked as a Production Coordinator working with Canada’s premier food and tabletop production company for clients such as A&W, Tim Hortons, Wendyâs, Nissan, and McDonaldâs.
Ed Pinker (He/Him) is a British-Canadian actor based in Toronto. He trained at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and graduated from East15 Acting School in London. His TV/film credits include The Handmaidâs Tale (Hulu/MGM), The Love Club (W Channel), How To Win a Prince (ReelOne), and Locke & Key (Netflix). Previous theatre highlights include Macbeth (Shakespeareâs Globe), The Mousetrap (West End), The Beggarâs Opera (Regentâs Park Open Air Theatre), and Top Story (Old Vic Tunnels).
Learn more about the CBC Actors Conservatory here.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) are pleased to launch a Cinematography Intensive, welcoming five female-identifying Directors of Photography (DOPs) for a comprehensive two-week workshop in collaboration with the 2024 Norman Jewison Film Program residents. This intensive is geared towards helping DOPs elevate their narrative storytelling, teamwork and technical skills while also building their professional network. With support from the Paul Bronfman Family Foundation, talented Cinematographers from Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia will begin the Cinematography Intensive on August 12.
The DOPs will take part in a series of workshops and meetings led by CSC Cinematographer mentors Zoe Dirse csc & Arthur Cooper csc. They will also be working collaboratively with CFC directors, producers, writers and editors to prepare and shoot several productions as they continue to refine their visual approach. Following the two-week intensive and over the next month, the DOPs will take part in a series of post sessions that will see them leave the intensive with high-quality, original material for their reels.
âWeâre proud to help launch this important training program with the CFC and CSC to foster emerging talent with tools and opportunities needed to excel in their craft,â said Paul Bronfman, CFC Board Member. âWe hope these cinematographers will feel empowered to push boundaries and elevate their storytelling skills, ultimately enriching the Canadian film/tv industry.â
“I find this a timely and inspiring initiative that will elevate the participants’ already impressive filmmaking skills and hopefully encourage greater female participation in the industry,” said Zoe Dirse csc, president of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. “I am looking forward to seeing what these unique collaborations produce.”
âWe are thrilled to be working with the CSC and to be welcoming these talented artists into the CFC community,â said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs, CFC. âThis is the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term partnership celebrating the important role cinematographers play in the storytelling process. Weâre so grateful for the generous support of the Paul Bronfman Family Foundation to help elevate these artists who are shaping the future of cinema.â
The Cinematography Intensive also receives vital support through in-kind services and equipment from Keslow Camera Toronto, Urban Post and Sunbelt Rentals.
The Cinematography Intensive participants:
Emma Djwa is a Vancouver-based DP whose work has been showcased at the Toronto and New York International Women Film Festivals, the Miami Film Awards and various Canadian festivals. Encouraged by growing up mixed race in Vancouver, her work spans the arctic circle and deserts alike. Emma believes visual storytelling has a crucial role in inspiring people and expanding the edges of our worldview. She is an Associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and an Operator with ICG 669. With a passion for authentic storytelling, she crafts grounded narratives and imaginative documentaries. Holding a Bachelor’s in Motion Picture Arts from Capilano University, Emma was raised on and lives on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoplesâSáž”wx̱wĂș7mesh, StĂł:lĆ, SÉlÌiÌlwÉtaÊ/Selilwitulh, and xÊ·mÉΞkÊ·ÉyÌÉm Nations.
Iris Ng has been a cinematographer for 17 years, and is known for work that focuses on human rights, marginalised communities, and auteur perspectives. She has extensive experience in documentaries and has lensed films for contemporary artists, including shot scripted shorts, prime time TV, and digital series. Her most notable works include the acclaimed film Stories We Tell (Dir. Sarah Polley), Netflixâs Shirkers (Dir. Sandi Tan), and Emmy award-winner Making A Murderer. She has also collaborated on celebrated socially-critical feature documentaries such as Twice Colonized, One Of Ours, Subjects Of Desire, A Better Man, Migrant Dreams, and Category: Woman. Her scripted work includes the CBC series Strays (Seasons 1 and 2), Hey Lady! which premiered at Sundance, Distant Cousins, and various other shorts. She currently serves on the Committee On Racial Equity with IATSE 667, is Co-Chair of the Field of View Mentorship Committee with the CSC, and is a founding member of the Documentary Cinematographers Alliance.
Claire Sanford is a Canadian cinematographer based in Montreal. Originally from Texada Island on the west coast of Canada, Claire grew up immersed in nature and became versed in the quiet art of observation. Her work centres visual expressions of human identity, the natural world, and how they overlap. Her recent cinematography has garnered nominations for a Canadian Screen Award in 2024 and a Prix Iris in 2022. Titles include the feature documentaries: Curl Power (2024), Larry: they/them (2024), The Bones (2023), Stolen Time (2023) Fanny: The Right to Rock (2021), and numerous cinematic shorts. She also explores immersive cinematography through VR and installation work, including the NFB Interactive film Texada (2024), which has screened at festivals internationally. Claire is an associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. She holds a BFA in Film Production from the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver (2009).
Kaayla Whachell is an associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and co-chair of the CSCâs Diversity Committee. Her first feature film, Portraits from a Fire, won her Best Cinematography at the 2022 Leo Awards. Kaayla is known for her work on Iâm Just Here for the Riot, an ESPN 30 for 30 She recently collaborated with director Sterling Larose on Snotty Nose Rez Kidâs music video Damn Right which was nominated for a JUNO Award. As a woman of mixed descent (Okinawan, Red River Metis, Czech), Kaayla continues to ally BIPOC filmmakers by showcasing their stories. She strives to produce a diverse film set for all people to thrive and create within.
Paola Contreras is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist who has worked in the audiovisual field as a director, cinematographer, editor, and photographer. She began her studies in Digital Cinematography in Guadalajara, Jalisco. She specialized in cinematography at the International School of Film and Television in EICTV, Cuba. She is currently an associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) and has been able to advance her career as a director with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Calgary Arts Development in various film projects. Paola has a strong passion for art history and storytelling. She has always sought to explore new ways of storytelling, drawing inspiration from works of art, films, photographs, or sculptures that have moved her.
About the CFC
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is a charitable cultural organization that drives the future of Canadian storytelling. Our intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, and entertainment technologies empower, shape and advance opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs working in screen-based industries. Learn more at cfccreates.com.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce the 19 participants selected for the annual Norman Jewison Film Program. As CFCâs signature program for emerging to mid-level Canadian directors, writers, producers and editors, it has played a pivotal role in elevating the voices, stories and careers of some of the countryâs most notable talent and has had a significant impact on the Canadian film & TV industry. The program is generously supported by Netflix as a lead partner for the second consecutive year. This full-time professional development program will take place from July 15 to December 13, 2024 at CFCâs campus in Toronto.
“We’re thrilled to be extending Norman Jewisonâs legacy by welcoming these 19 talented creatives into the CFC. Their talent, their perspectives and their growing body of work are exciting, bold and inspiring.â said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs, CFC. âWe were very impressed with the large number of strong applicants we received, demonstrating what a vibrant talent pool we have here in Canada.,â
With support from Netflix, the participants will have the opportunity to advance their narrative storytelling and business skills, grow their body of work while developing and producing some original new IP, expand their creative community and their career opportunities.
“The Norman Jewison Film Program continues to be a cornerstone in fostering Canadian storytelling talent,” said StĂ©phane Cardin, Director of Public Policy for Netflix in Canada. “We’re pleased to support this initiative that empowers emerging to mid-level creators to enrich our cultural landscape with their diverse and compelling narratives.”
The 2024 residents of the Norman Jewison Film Program (Bios below):
Directorsâ Lab:
Andy Reid
Joy Webster
Kalainithan Kalaichelvan
King Louie Palomo
Luvleen Hunjan
Producersâ Lab:
Alison Almeida
Lucy McNulty
Nicholas Nyhof
Priyanka Shailendra
Shaista Roshan
Writersâ Lab:
Brandon Hackett
Briony Merritt
Helena Morgane
Stephanie Fabrizi
Victoria Anderson-Gardner
Editorsâ Lab:
Andrea Novoa
Ania Smolenskaia
Jake Lee
Santiago Ruiztorres
The Norman Jewison Film Program aims to elevate talented professionals to go on to become among Canadaâs leading storytellers. Some of the award-winning alumni of this program include writer-directors Sarah Polley (Women Talking), Clement Virgo (Brother), Zarrar Khan (In Flames) and editor Maureen Grant (Sort Of).
Learn more about the Norman Jewison Film Program here. The Norman Jewison Film Program is generously supported by Netflix, RBC Emerging Artists and Telefilm Canada, and program partners The Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation and the Government of Ontario.
Bios:
Directorsâ Lab:
Andy Reid (He/Him) is a filmmaker and actor based in Toronto. Often combining the mundane and the absurd, his work takes interest in the ways life reveals itself to be ridiculous. His most recent short, Testing, which he is currently developing as a feature, screened at festivals across the globe, including Atlantic International Film Festival, Queer Screen Sydney, and Inside Out Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award at the festivalâs Ottawa iteration. He is an alumna of Toronto Metropolitan Universityâs School of Image Arts, and holds a BFA in Film Studies.
Joy Webster (She/Her) is a writer, director and editor from Toronto. Her short films, In The Weeds (2015), Game (2017), Buzzard (2019), and Menace (2022), have screened at film festivals in Canada and abroad including NewFilmmakers LA, San Diego International Film Festival, Brooklyn International Film Festival and CinĂ©fest Sudbury. Her work has garnered numerous awards including two Best Short awards at Canadian Film Fest, the National Screen Instituteâs A&E Short Filmmakers Award, and three Golden Sheaf awards from Yorkton Film Festival. Her films have been broadcast on CBC, included in the Telefilm: Not Short on Talent showcase at the Cannes Short Film Corner, and shortlisted for the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards. Joy recently completed an MFA in Scriptwriting & Story Design at Toronto Metropolitan University and is in development on multiple projects including her first feature film.
Kalainithan Kalaichelvan (He/Him) is a Tamil-Canadian writer and director, whose films have screened at festivals such as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Palm Springs International ShortFest, and Melbourne International Film Festival. His short film credits include Junglefowl (2023), A Feller and the Tree (2021) and Petit Four (2019). He is also known for directing music videos and was nominated for a Juno Award for Music Video of the Year in 2022. Kalaichelvan was a participant in the 2022 Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices and the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund Program.
King Louie Palomo (He/They) is a Queer Filipino-Canadian filmmaker who has produced an array of short films that have been showcased at both local and international film festivals. King has gained recognition for his work on Nene, which was hailed as a Standout Director in a Short Film at the 21st Reelworld Film Festival. His latest short, Stay, features Kendall Gender of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2. He has screened at over 20 film festivals, and was runner up in the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short at Out on Film: Atlantaâs LGBTQ Film Fest. He is currently developing Stay as his first feature-length film. Beyond his independent film work, King is also an accomplished production manager in the VFX industry. He works at Distillery VFX where he contributed to several productions, including The Last of Us on HBO, which won the 75th Emmys for Outstanding Special Visual Effects.
Luvleen Hunjan is a filmmaker born in Delhi, India and based in Brampton, Ontario. Her recent project, On the Cosmic Shore, screened at the 2023 TIFF Next Wave Festival. She was a participant of the Canadian Academy’s 2023 Women in Post Production program. Within her filmmaking, Luvleen is inspired by the interconnectedness of people, and the otherworldly threads which link individuals together. She also finds herself drawn to exploring the natural world and its connection with femininity. She enjoys the process of creating, and the ways spirituality rests between the layers of thinking, feeling, making, and waiting. She hopes to create films that evoke the soul, films that people feel more than think about.
Producers’ Lab:
Alison Almeida (She/Her) is a South Asian producer whose coordinating credits include Sofia Coppolaâs Priscilla (2023), Matt Johnsonâs Blackberry (2023), Clement Virgoâs Brother (2022), and many more. She line-produced the musical short Before They Were Them (2019) and produced the 39-minute musical film More Together (2023), which has won Best Musical in multiple international festivals. She is an associate producer on the following 2024 features: Amar Walaâs Shook, Hubert Davisâs The Well, Durga Chew-Boseâs Bonjour Tristesse, and Reza Dahyaâs Boxcutter. Alison participated in the CMPA Production Mentorship Program with Babe Nation Films and is a participant in the 2024 Whistler Film Festival Producers Lab. Sheâs currently associate producing Season 4 of the TV series Children Ruin Everything.
Lucy McNulty (She/Her) is a Vancouver-based filmmaker whose notable achievements include winning Juryâs Choice and the DEAI Award for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion at the Thomas Edison Film Festival for her directorial debut Chicken, The film screened internationally and gained recognition from the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. It was also featured in 3.21: Canadaâs Down Syndrome Magazine, The LowDOWN: A Down Syndrome Podcast and on AMIâs Season 2 of DisRUPT. Lucy is the founder of Strange Company Productions, a company dedicated to championing under-represented communities and telling female-centred socially conscious stories. Sheâs also the President of Wet Ink Collective, a writer-driven initiative for women to write, develop and produce stories for stage and screen. Lucy is a graduate of Studio 58âs acting conservatory, the recipient of the Sydney J Risk Foundation Acting Award and a Jessie Richardson Award. She is currently developing her debut feature film, Itâs 5 OâClock Somewhere.
Nicholas Nyhof (He/Him) is a Toronto-based creative producer focused on bringing gripping, character-driven genre narratives to life. He has produced numerous short films in Canada and the U.S., which have screened around the world. Currently, he works as an independent producer, supporting projects through scripted content development, business affairs, and production logistics. In 2023, Nicholas was selected to participate in the Film Independent Fast Track Finance Market and was a Sloan grant winner for his nuclear thriller, SILO, written by frequent collaborator Cole Smith. Nicholas holds an MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University, where he was honoured with the Michael Hausman Producing Award. While at Columbia, he interned in development for Blumhouse Productions and Alaz Film, honing his skills in identifying, refining, and bringing scripted stories to life. As a producer, he takes a collaborative approach, working with talented writers and directors to develop a diverse slate of projects that aim to captivate audiences both within Canada and on the world stage.
Priyanka Shailendra (She/Her) has been an integral part of the Indian film industry (Bollywood) for over 15 years, gaining experience across production, direction, and writing. Growing up in a Bollywood family known for their contributions as writers and lyricists, Priyanka has always aspired to create magic through visuals. Priyankaâs short film, The Unnamed Crime, was nominated for the Mumbai International Women’s Film Festival in 2013. Her series, Frozen, was selected for the pitch workshop at the Canadian Film Fest 2023, earning critical acclaim from jurors. She also worked as an assistant showrunner on the acclaimed show Potluck Ladies. Recently, Priyanka produced, directed, and wrote the short film Dark Memories, which premiered at the Filmi Festival in 2023. Additionally, she serves on the board of the South Asian Canadian Film Federation, empowering South Asian voices through film and television in Canada. Priyanka’s relocation to Canada signifies her ambition to produce high-concept content and tell impactful stories.
Shaista Roshan (She/Her) is an Indo-Arab filmmaker and producer based in Toronto and raised in the UAE. She has spent a decade producing within the unscripted and live TV space in the Middle East, South Asia and the U.S. She worked on shows such as Sabah Al Dar, Andama Yatil Massa, Dirhami (ADTV), The Doctors & The Doctor Phil Show (CBS) before shifting her focus on narrative storytelling. Since her move to Canada, sheâs produced and directed several short films that are currently making festival rounds within Canada, the U.S. and the UK. Over the past year, Shaista has worked on Tokyo Vice (HBO Max), Brilliant Minds (NBC) and Witch Mountainâ Pilot (Disney+). Sheâs now weaving her own narrative tapestry and in post-production for a short film and in early development stages of a co-production feature. She aims to champion stories that hone a hybrid sense that blend across different cultures and its peoples.
Writers’ Lab:
Brandon Hackett (He/Him) is a Toronto-based comedian, actor and screenwriter. He served as an executive story editor on the sitcom Shelved, and as a producer on The Next Step Season 8. He has also written for the shows Made For TV, The Popularity Papers, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Beaverton, the latter two garnering CSA nominations for Best Writing in Variety or Sketch Comedy. His feature screenplay Toughen Up was part of the 2023 Whistler Film Festival Screenwritersâ Lab, and is currently being developed with Fae Pictures. Brandon is an alumnus of Torontoâs Second City Mainstage and was recently nominated for a Dora Award with the ensemble of Holiday! An Improvised Musical.
Briony Merritt (She/Her) is a British-Canadian writer and actor with home communities in Toronto and Nova Scotia. She has previously participated in script development programs with Women in Film & TelevisionâAtlantic, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, and Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre to workshop scripts for both stage and screen. Briony is particularly passionate about female-centered, familial, and intergenerational stories. Across a range of genres, her work explores unlikely relationships, the nature of home, and how the impact of certain decisions transcends time and community.
Helena Morgane (She/Her) is a Black European filmmaker-actor and multidisciplinary creative who is an alumni of the The Barrow Group’s Apprentice Program, BIPOC TV & Film x Warner Bros. Episodic Writers Lab, and Black Women Film! Canada. A prolific creative and polyglot, she works globally, having collaborated with organizations such as Interscope, T.D.E., Shopify, NIA Centre for the Arts, and artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Helena was the Associate Programmer for TIFF Rising Stars 2020 where she hosted mentorship sessions with David Oyelowo, Tantoo Cardinal and the Casting Society of America.
Stephanie Fabrizi (They/Them) is a Toronto-based screenwriter. Their first feature film, Below Her Mouth, which premiered at TIFF 2016, received international distribution and sold to Netflix worldwide; helping the film achieve international cult status with the queer community. Stephanieâs most recent feature film script, Light As Bones, was the official finalist for the 2022 TIFF-CBC Screenwriting Award.
Victoria Anderson-Gardner (They/Them) is a two-spirited award-winning Anishinaabe writer, director and producer from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation, Ontario. They most recently completed a three-month long Indigenous Youth Program in New Zealand. Before that, they were the Studio Coordinator for the Central Canada Studio at the National Film Board of Canada where they were also the Coordinator for Indigenous Relations and Community Engagement. They graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Film Studies. Victoria is focused on creating Indigenous content, showcasing underrepresented communities and using their skills as a filmmaker to educate. Victoria was awarded the Glenn Gould Protegé Prize for their work from Glenn Gould laureate Alanis Obomsawin. Victoria is most well known for Braided Together which won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the imagineNATIVE Film Festival; Namid which was commissioned by REEL Canada and Netflix and won the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival Audience Choice Award; Becoming Nakuset is a CBC Gem and Loud Roar Production that won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the imagineNATIVE Film Festival and the Skoden Indigenous Film Festival; and The Hurt That Binds Us which won Best Documentary, the HSBC Canada Filmmaker Award for Best Director, and the Natalie McDonald Memorial Award for Best Director at the TMU Film Festival.
Editors’ Lab:
Andrea Novoa (She/Her) is a multifaceted filmmaker based in North Bay, Ontario, with experience in writing, directing, and producing. Andrea draws from her multicultural upbringing in Bogota, Colombia, to infuse her work with a diverse perspective.Transitioning from an extensive background in dance performance and choreography, Andrea’s segway into film editing was a natural progression, influenced by her continued dedication to movement and expression. Previously, she held the role of founder and artistic director at the World Dance Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario where she cultivated a dynamic cultural hub in northwestern Ontario, celebrating dances from around the globe. Andrea’s editorial talent shines through in her work on numerous acclaimed and award-winning short films, including the documentary The Dance Connection (which she also wrote, directed and co-produced), and the neo-noir Bang Bang, both of which have garnered awards and recognition.
Ania Smolenskaia (She/Her) is an award-winning film editor based in Toronto. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design, she worked with the independent news and documentary organization, The Real News. Sheâs produced pertinent social justice stories across North America and later joined a creative agency where she edited dramatic, emotion-laden mood pieces and attention-grabbing commercials. She is passionate about crafting visual stories, weaving images with music and rhythm to provoke, excite, and inspire. Her first long-form documentary won a Silver Dolphin at Cannes in 2018 and her subsequent documentary work has been broadcast on television and screened at festivals across Europe and North America. Aniaâs recent credits include Ice-Breaker: The 1972 Summit Series (2022) and Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics (2024), which had its North American premiere at SXSW and European premiere at Sheffield DocFest.
Jake Lee (He/Him) is a Toronto-based film editor who strives to bring directors’ visions to life. He is drawn to filmmakers who are invested in telling unique, personal stories that span over topics like relationships, family and community life. Since his graduation at York University in the BFA Film Program, he has edited short films for directors including Winnifred Jong, Shaun Boyd, Bita Joudaki, Nikita Zhang and Yvette Sin. His most notable editing credit is the web series Streams Flow From a River by Christopher Yip and Fae Pictures, for which he received a CCE Award nomination. He also has a background in VFX production from having worked as a Production Coordinator at various VFX houses such as Double Negative, ILM and Toronto’s MARZ VFX.
Santiago Ruiztorres (He/Him) was born and raised in BogotĂĄ, Colombia. At the age of 17 his family moved to Markham, Ontario and it was around that time he started exploring photography and video. He studied Recording Engineering and Production at Fanshawe College and after working in the music industry for a year, Santiago decided to pursue cinema. He studied Film Production at Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema of Concordia University in Montreal where he received several awards including the Arri Canada Scholarship (2005). Santiago currently lives and works in Toronto, and is a member of the DGC. His industry credits include Guest of Honour, American Gods, The Handmaid’s Tale, Billy the Kid, and Angels’ Atlas.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce their inaugural Hair and Makeup Training Initiative, in partnership with CMU College of Makeup Art & Design. This unique training program acknowledges the need for hair and makeup equity in the film and television industry. With financial support from NABET 700-M UNIFOR, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, and the Canadian Media Producers Association, this program strives to accelerate the career paths of the next generation of hair and makeup professionals from Black, Indigenous and racialized communities and to expand the industryâs expertise in serving all hair textures and skin tones. Artists selected to participate in the program will be announced in the summer.
The CFC will collaborate with professional mentors and partners to train, coach, and support participants by providing six weeks of valuable hands-on experience (on-set and behind the scenes) and mentorship to prepare them for work on Ontario-based productions. This career building opportunity was designed to support talent from communities underrepresented in the industry who have encountered historic barriers in the screen industry. CMU College will select early-career alumni at no cost to participate, who will grow their careers from the training and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Key to their experience will be their involvement in short film productions as part of the CFCâs curriculum to gain crucial on-set experience to build their professional portfolios.
âWeâre seeing more opportunities for Black, Indigenous and creatives of colour as writers, directors, and actors yet there remains a lack of change in below-the-line creative roles that support our stories and on screen talent. Representation across all departments is crucial to a sense of belonging on-set,â said maxine bailey, Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre. âWeâre proud to address this gap in the industry pipeline, to build community and safe spaces for artists, and to lead the charge together with our knowledgeable program partners, CMU College, NABET 700-M UNIFOR, WBD Access Canada and the CMPA. We acknowledge this is a small step but change is going to come.â
âââGaining valuable on-set experience and industry connections is crucial to building a successful career in makeup and hair in the screen industry,â said Deanna Cadette, Senior Vice President, CMU College of Makeup Art and Design. âAs one of the premier educational institutions in the world, we are proud to support the professional development of our talented alumni, and to open more doors for artists from underrepresented communities.”
âNABET 700-M UNIFOR is pleased to support this important initiative, which will contribute to more career opportunities for artists in Canada’s film and TV industry,âsaid Ryan Pogue, President, NABET 700-M UNIFOR. âFuture productions will greatly benefit from this training program, and we look forward to witnessing a positive, necessary shift that brings together more people from various communities.â
âWe are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with CMU College and to partner with the CFC to contribute to their incredible suite of career changing programs,â said Melanie Nepinak Hadley, Senior Director, WBD Access Canada. âWe eagerly anticipate the transformative impact this program will have on the below-the-line talent in Canada.â
This yearâs CFC Hair and Makeup Training Initiative will begin in Fall 2024.
For more information, visit cfccreates.com.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce the six writers selected to be part of the Comedy Story Room Intensive, which begins today. Presented by Bell Media, the Comedy Story Room Intensive is a professional training initiative for emerging and mid-level writers to support their career growth with invaluable mentorship from an experienced showrunner and on-the-job training.The Comedy Story Room Intensive has been designed for writers looking to gain experience in comedy writing and engage in a collaborative series writing room. This full time, 12 week program is for those who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour to open opportunities for underrepresented voices and support the future of diverse storytelling. This intensive will put the writers through the paces of a comedy room model with professional turnaround expectations.âWeâre so pleased to welcome these gifted writers to be part of the Comedy Story Room Intensive and grateful for Bell Mediaâs continued support in offering this invaluable opportunity to fresh new voices in the industry,â said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs – Talent Development and Content Creation, CFC. âWeâre also lucky to have an extraordinary mentor, Anthony Q. Farrell, lead this comedy story room to help elevate these writers as they move into the next stages of their careers.â The intensive will provide a team-based approach to a writersâ room under the mentorship of experienced executive producer, comedian, writer and actor Anthony Q. Farrell. Farrell was named Playbackâs 2021 Showrunner of the Year and received Writers Guild of Canadaâs 2022 Showrunner Award. He will guide the writers and lead the story room as showrunner as they help develop his latest comedy series Truck U.âWeâre thrilled to continue our partnership with the CFC and we couldnât think of a better mentor for this group than Anthony Q. Farrell who will help bring this distinctive, tailored Comedy program to life,â said Carlyn Klebuc, General Manager, Original Programming, Bell Media. âBuilding on Bell Mediaâs commitment to tell authentic Canadian stories, we hope this program serves to catapult the careers of this talented group of writers so they may continue bringing fresh and unique voices to the genre and landscape.ââCollaborating with fellow comedy writers is one of my favourite things to do. Working towards a creative goal with a group of funny, intelligent people is a recipe for joy. I’m really looking forward to developing this series with these six talented scribes,â shared ââAnthony Q. Farrell. âThe Canadian Film Centre has lifted the careers of so many great Canadian artists. I am truly honoured that they’ve asked me to help them in their pursuit of a stronger, more diverse entertainment industry.” |
The 2024 Comedy Story Room Intensive Participants:
![]() Mostafa Shaker (He/They) is an Egyptian-Canadian comedian, writer, actor and producer. He expresses his comedic voice through projects that reflect his experience as a queer Arab immigrant. He’s appeared in over 40 theatre, film and TV projects. As a writer, he’s been part of the Netflix BANFF Diversity of Voices Program, BIPOC TV & Film Showrunners Program, NSI Series Incubator and Reel World’s E20 Program. Mostafa is in development with Crave and Sphere Media on a half hour comedy inspired by his own life and with OMNI Film on a half hour family comedy.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?Superstore – not only did I love what the show had to say, and the specificity of the characters, itâs also my type of humour, funny-forward with a lot of heart. |
![]() Della Haddock (She/Her/Hers) is a writer, improv and sketch comedian, story editor, and producer, who has performed at Just For Laughs Vancouver, the Vancouver Improv Festival, and the Vancouver Fringe Festival. She is a member of the improv troupe âHot Snackâ, and she can also be seen as an alumni House Team performer at Blind Tiger Comedy. She has been on the programming committee of the Vancouver Short Film Festival, a CMPA Diverse Producers mentee, a Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative fellow, and was one of the six screenwriters selected to participate in the 2022 Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters Lab.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?Broad City exemplifies how an honest portrayal of flawed and brazen women still feels surprising and fresh in all its iterations – and I hope audiences never grow tired of that! This show created a language of humour around two unique leading voices and I, a desperate fanatic, would have paid to be in that room if only to witness the jokes that never made it to the page. |
![]() Aditi Raina (She/Her/Hers) is an data analyst turned comedy writer who grew up in India and lives in Toronto. Most recently, she was a writer for Abroad Season 2 on OMNI, a sketch comedy show about Canadian immigrants. She is a contributor for Reductress and The Beaverton. When not writing, she is busy overthinking about how she isnât writing.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?I would have loved to be in the Story Room for Broad City. I love writing about female friendships and absurdities of everyday life. The dream is to write something as relatable, silly and insane as Broad City, no pressure! |
![]() Qaseem Fazal (He/Him/His) is a Muslim, gay, comedy writer. He recently finished working as a Jr. Story Editor on the second season of Family Law. Qaseem is also a graduate of the Pacific Screenwriting Program, The Reel World E20 Program and The Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada: Mid-Level Writers Room. His queer coming-of-age comedy series titled Whatâs Normal Anyway? is currently in development with Amaze Film + Television. Qaseem loves showcasing queer stories from underrepresented communities. His hope is that his stories inspire a new generation of youth to never be afraid of their race or who they chose to love.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?Never Have I Ever because Itâs a diverse comedy that normalizes the experience of immigrant south Asians in a way that recognizes their existence. Also, itâs such a funny show and to have my jokes included would have been a dream come true. |
![]() Marushka Jessica Almeida (ââThey/Them/Theirs) is a Middle East born and raised, South Asian writer/producer, ex-accountant, former music-business-exec and many other failed careers their parents are too depressed to list. Currently, theyâre an executive producer/co-creator on the upcoming Get Up, Aisha (CBC). They have written/story edited on Made for TV (Crave) Homeschooled (CBC), Near or Far (Wattpad, CBC), Streams Flow From a River (Superchannel) and other Canadian comedies. When Marushka isnât swimming in a whirlpool of existential dread they can be found complaining about why public nap areas donât exist.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?I would have killed to be in the room for the Comeback. Top tier cringe comedy? character journeys that were decades in the making? And our lord and saviour Lisa Kudrow!? |
![]() Nattasha Shrestha (She/Her/Hers) is a Southeast Asian storyteller who writes dramedy narratives that cut close to the bone. Having been raised internationally in over five countries and continents, she brings a distinct, sharp and robust POV in screenwriting, seeking to explore the intersection between grief and comedy. After graduating from the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Film School, she’s been a story editor for multiple shows and festivals, a writer for Netflix’s Womens in Animation Program and the winner of the VAFF Bell Media Series Development Competition. She is currently in development for three of her own original shows, all in pursuit to celebrate unusual and underrepresented stories on screen.What Comedy Series would you have loved to have been in the story room for and why?I always thought I would’ve loved to have been in the storyroom for Sex Education. I think it’s one of those shows that portrays comedy in a way that’s both nostalgic and also uncomfortable in its naked (literally) portrayal of deeply flawed people. That intersection of funniness and unsettling vulnerability is what I want to explore, both as a viewer and a writer alike. |
![]() Anthony Q. Farrell (He/Him) is a BAFTA-winning, Emmy-nominated writer/producer who has worked in Canada, the US, and the UK for over 20 years. He recently served as the creator, showrunner and executive producer of CTV’s half-hour comedy Shelved. He has served as executive producer and showrunner of CBC’s Run the Burbs, Overlord and the Underwoods, The Parker Andersons/Amelia Parker, and the BAFTA-winning Secret Life of Boys. Anthony’s writing credits also include NBC’s The Office, Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans, and Little Mosque on the Prairie. Anthony was honoured as Showrunner of the Year at the Writers Guild of Canada Awards in 2022, after receiving the same title from Playback in 2021. |
For more information, visit cfccreates.com.
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce that Netflix has returned as a lead partner for the Norman Jewison Film Program for the second consecutive year. This is CFCâs longest running and signature film program for emerging to mid-level Canadian filmmakers, which has helped launch the careers of some of the countryâs most notable talents. Applications are now open here and close January 31, 2024.
âSeeing the success of the Norman Jewison Film Program never gets old, and we are honoured to play a part in it,â said StĂ©phane Cardin, Director of Public Policy for Netflix in Canada. âSupporting the vision of bold new stories is what we set out to do when we started this partnership, so weâre excited to continue working with CFC in doing exactly that.â
The Norman Jewison Film Program is an accelerated professional film program for new voices in Canadian film including directors, writers, producers and editors. Thanks to Netflixâs generous support, residents will have an opportunity to improve their narrative storytelling, grow their body of work, expand their creative community and build their career through workshops, industry sessions, collaborations, mentorships and more.
Many of Canadaâs acclaimed storytellers are alumni of this program, which aims to support the next generation of talent and to help them become influential industry leaders. Past alumni include Sarah Polley (Women Talking), Clement Virgo (Brother) and Zarrar Khan (In Flames).
âWeâre pleased that Netflix has renewed their partnership with the Norman Jewison Film Program, reaffirming the importance of supporting the next wave of homegrown filmmaking,â said maxine bailey, CFC Executive Director. âTheir continued contributions to the CFC enables us to provide vital opportunities for bold, new voices in the industry who need an extra boost to progress in their careers. The future is bright for Canadian storytelling and weâre grateful for Netflixâs partnership.â
The participants of the 2024 Norman Jewison Film Program will be announced in early July, and the program will run from July 15 to Dec 13, 2024 at CFCâs campus in Toronto. Learn more about the Norman Jewison Film Program here.
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